New Avenger (A Steve Rogers love story)

Rescue Plans

Steve's POV

I punched the bag hard, stressed beyond belief. Alexx ran away and disappeared after leaving Miranda in Florida. That was a month and a half ago. Tony, Bruce, Clint, Nat, Ryan and JARVIS were all trying to track her down. We knew HYDRA took her, and they were keeping us off their scent. 

I punched the bag several times, angry with myself. I should have known she'd leave any chance she got.

Abby laid by the bench, asleep. She seemed to be as stressed as I was. She always paced around, sniffed Alexx's things, slept in Alexx's bed.

I couldn't handle being away from Alexx when I knew she was in danger. I'd be out there now, looking for her if it wasn't for Tony. He told JARVIS to make sure I didn't leave the tower by myself.

I grabbed the towel from the bench, Abby waking up. I wiped my face and the back of my neck and started toward my room. Abby followed until we passed Alexx's room, where she went in and laid on her bed. 

I took a quick shower, dried off and put on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, then I went to the lab, where everyone was working.

"Find anything?" I asked.

Tony took a sip of his coffee. "We're as close as we were before."

"Shut up, Tony. We're getting close, Steve. You should rest. You look exhausted." Nat said.

I nodded. "Let me know when you find something."

"Of course."

I left the lab and went straight to Alexx's room. Her smell overwhelmed me and tears welled up in my eyes. I laid on her bed, face down. I held her pillow to my face, taking in the familiar smell of chocolate. Alexx loved chocolate, and always seemed to smell of the sweet treat.

Tears flooded my eyes as I buried my face into her pillow, wishing so much that Alexx was safe, with me.

***

Alexx's POV

After cutting me open and poking my insides for what seemed like the hundredth time, Pinky -- or Jack -- dragged my half destroyed body from the lab. He threw me into my cell and locked the bar door.

I laid on the ground in a bloody heap. My wings had lost several feathers and looked like a diseased bird's wings; cut, bloodied, and missing several feathers. They were even broken in places. My body was covered in bruises and gashes. My long black hair had been chopped off because it got in the way of their torture. It was shaggy and stopped an inch below my ears. The dye had long since worn out, my hair back to its dark brown color, changing with my emotions. It was always blood red now, my body constantly in pain.

I sat up and held my knees to my chest, my head resting on them. I curled up against the wall, wishing I could cry. Tears no longer came. Jess rarely gave me water and never gave me food. She was barely keeping me alive.

My eyes closed as my consciousness slowly slipped away, and I welcomed it.

***

My eyes opened and I wished I could close them again. 

Ever since I'd been there that first day, I hadn't been any clothes. I sat in my cell, completely naked and alone.

I heard footsteps and looked up at the approaching bodies. Tiny -- or Amos -- grinned and walked toward me menacingly, Ashley behind him. Amos wrapped his huge fingers around my neck and lift me high above his head. Amos slammed me to the ground and held me down.

Ashley knelt by me with a large syringe. "I invented a new serum that I would love to use on you." she smiled.

"Please...leave me alone..." I pleaded.

"Sorry, can't do that."

Ashley shoved the needle into my neck and forced the liquid into me. My body jolted as the serum reacted inside it. I grunted from the pain. 

"Now, we wait." Ashley smiled.

Amos kicked me, and while I groaned and writhed in pain, Ashley and Amos left my cell and locked the door. They watched me closely. I looked at them, my body going through so much pain. I wished I could burn them.

Someone walked behind them and my eyes widened. 

Steve?